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IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Concludes Working Visit to Argentina
May 3, 2011
Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) carried out a working visit to Argentina on April 25-27, 2011. The IACHR delegation was headed by Commissioner Luz Patricia Mejía Guerrero, in her capacity as Rapporteur for Argentina. The purpose of the visit was to promote compliance with friendly settlement agreements and IACHR recommendations, and the delegation met with high-level national and provincial government authorities, as well as representatives of civil society organizations.
During the visit, Rapporteur Mejía Guerrero focused on promoting the effectiveness of the decisions made by the bodies of the inter-American system for the protection of human rights and, in particular, the importance of complying with recommendations issued by the IACHR. Along these lines, the Rapporteur recognized the State of Argentina for recently incorporating the crime of forced disappearance of persons into its Criminal Code, pursuant to recommendations the IACHR had issued in the Case of Iván Torres. The Inter-American Commission commends this legal advance, which is based on the obligation to respect the rights established in the National Constitution, the American Convention on Human Rights, and the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons.
Rapporteur Mejía Guerrero also encouraged compliance with other recommendations of a legislative nature, such as the draft legislation for the new National Code of Criminal Procedures and the bill establishing minimum principles on the right to review of a conviction, and the adaptation of the juvenile criminal justice system to international instruments in this area.
During her visit, Rapporteur Mejía Guerrero met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship; the Minister of Justice, Security, and Human Rights; the Attorney General of the Nation; the Treasury Attorney General; and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. She also held a meeting with the Chamber of Deputies' Commissions on Human Rights, on Criminal Law, and on the Family. At a provincial level, in the context of individual cases, the delegation met with authorities of Chaco, Mendoza, Salta, and Santa Fe provinces.
The Commission thanks the government of Argentina, and particularly the Foreign Ministry, for the cooperation it provided for this visit.
In addition, on April 28, 2011, Rapporteur Mejía Guerrero participated in the High-Level Meeting on the Human Rights Agenda of the XXI Century, organized by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights' International Center for the Promotion of Human Rights. Finally, on April 29, in her capacity as Rapporteur on the Rights of Women, Commissioner Luz Patricia Mejía presented the report Access to Maternal Health Services from a Human Rights Perspective, during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Office of the General Ombudsman of the Nation.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in a personal capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 39/11